Chapter 1 Development

Overview

This chapter introduces the concept of development, emphasizing that it is a multifaceted goal with different meanings for different people. It explores various developmental aspirations, highlighting that while income is important, non-material aspects like equality, freedom, security, and respect are also crucial. The chapter discusses how to compare countries based on criteria like income and human development indicators (health, education), and introduces the critical concept of sustainable development, which aims to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

What Development Promises — Different People, Different Goals

The idea of development varies significantly among individuals and groups. People seek different things based on their life situations and aspirations. For instance, landless laborers desire more work and better wages, while prosperous farmers seek higher crop prices and support for settling their children abroad. Conflicting goals can arise, such as industrialists wanting more dams for electricity versus tribals who may be displaced by such projects and prefer smaller water management systems. Therefore, what constitutes development for one may not be development, or could even be detrimental, for another.

Income And Other Goals

While increased income and material possessions are common goals, they are not the sole determinants of development. Non-material aspects like equal treatment, freedom, security, respect, and absence of discrimination are equally, if not more, important for improving quality of life. For example, women might desire more freedom and opportunities outside the home, but this is enhanced when society also respects women, leading to greater sharing of domestic responsibilities and acceptance of women in paid work.

National Development

For a nation, development involves considering the diverse and often conflicting goals of its people. It requires thinking about fair and just paths that benefit a large number of people, rather than just a small group. This involves debating how to achieve progress while ensuring equality, freedom, and the well-being of all citizens.

How To Compare Different Countries Or States?

Comparing development requires establishing criteria. While income is a primary measure, it has limitations:

• Average Income (Per Capita Income): Calculated by dividing a country's total income by its total population, it provides a basic comparison. However, it hides income disparities within the country. A country with higher average income might still have significant inequalities (e.g., Country A vs. Country B example).
• Income and Other Criteria: Beyond income, other crucial indicators like health status (Infant Mortality Rate - IMR) and education levels (Literacy Rate, Net Attendance Ratio) are vital for assessing development. Kerala, despite lower per capita income than Haryana, ranks higher in human development due to better health and education facilities.
• Public Facilities: Collective goods and services like pollution-free environments, security, and education are often more efficiently provided collectively and contribute significantly to quality of life, as individual income cannot always secure them.
• Human Development Report (HDI): Published by the UNDP, it uses a composite index including life expectancy, literacy rates, and per capita income (adjusted for purchasing power parity) to rank countries, providing a more holistic view of development than income alone. Sri Lanka's higher HDI despite lower per capita income than some neighbours highlights the importance of non-income factors.

Sustainability Of Development

Sustainability is crucial for long-term development. It means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This involves:

• Responsible Resource Use: Avoiding the overuse of renewable resources like groundwater (which can be depleted if used faster than replenished) and managing non-renewable resources like crude oil judiciously, as their finite stock will eventually exhaust.
• Environmental Protection: Recognizing that environmental degradation does not respect national boundaries and requires global cooperation.

The concept of sustainability links economic development with environmental protection, ensuring that progress today does not jeopardize the future.

Exercises

The exercises in this chapter focus on understanding the multifaceted nature of development. They require students to explain why developmental goals differ, compare countries using income and human development indicators, analyze the importance of public facilities, and discuss the concept of sustainability. Students are asked to critically evaluate the limitations of using only per capita income as a measure of development and to consider the environmental implications of resource usage. Activities encourage personal reflection on developmental goals and critical analysis of data.